Green Bay traded pick No. 128 to St. Louis for Nos. 137 and…
Green Bay traded pick No. 128 to St. Louis for Nos. 137 and 217. The Rams selected receiver Keenan Burton, who produced 425 yards in two seasons. Green Bay turned No. 137 into picks No. 150 and No. 209, selecting Breno Giacomini and Matt Flynn, and used No. 217 on Brett Swain. Flynn became a valuable Packers backup and Super Bowl champion, giving Green Bay the superior return.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 2008 5th round pick (137th overall; traded to Minnesota for pick 150 Breno Giacomini and pick 209 Matt Flynn)
- pick 2008 7th round pick (217th overall, Brett Swain)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2008 4th round pick (128th overall, Keenan Burton)
Trade Analysis
Why St. Louis Moved Up
The Rams sent Green Bay picks No. 137 and No. 217 for No. 128 in the 2008 draft and selected Kentucky receiver Keenan Burton. St. Louis was looking for young receiving help and paid a seventh-round premium to move nine spots. Green Bay preferred to accumulate more opportunities and immediately continued maneuvering with the higher incoming selection.
What St. Louis Received
Burton contributed for two seasons. He appeared in 22 games, started seven, caught 38 passes for 425 yards and scored one touchdown. His 2009 season showed some promise before injury ended it, but he did not become a long-term Rams starter and was released before the 2010 season. The return was not empty, yet it remained modest.
How Green Bay Multiplied No. 137
The Packers traded No. 137 to Minnesota for picks No. 150 and No. 209. Green Bay selected tackle Breno Giacomini at 150 and quarterback Matt Flynn at 209. Flynn became a valuable Packers backup, joined the Super Bowl XLV championship roster and famously threw six touchdowns in the 2011 finale. The original No. 217 became Brett Swain, another roster contributor.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Green Bay won through asset multiplication. No single incoming selection looked dramatic on draft night, but turning the fifth-rounder into two more chances created Flynn, while the seventh-rounder produced additional roster value. St. Louis received a short-lived receiver. Following the downstream movement is essential because stopping at picks 137 and 217 would hide the Packers' real return.
Final Verdict
Green Bay Packers Win. Green Bay earns an A for converting the move-down into Flynn, Giacomini and Swain, with Flynn providing meaningful quarterback insurance and championship-era value. St. Louis receives a C+ because Burton contributed for two seasons but never approached the Packers' combined longevity or usefulness.